I was born in Astrakahn, Russia and was adopted at the age of 4. I have lived throughout Minnesota and eventually moved to Duluth, in which I attended college. During my undergraduate years I enjoyed taking extra courses in chemistry and biology, as well as volunteering for a hospital and the local YMCA chapter.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I have recently graduated a 4 year nursing program and am now looking for an adventure! My goal is to find a new city to both live in and pursue further education. Moving to a new city is difficult so I'm hoping to find some temporary assistance. I would love to be guided to, around, and away from tourist traps to gain an understanding of the city. I'm hoping to explore the world, gain new hobbies, and learn of different cultures in order to become a great health care professional (and have fun).

Interests

Living in Minnesota exposed me to hockey culture, and almost inevitably, I started playing when I was about nine years old. My team was small, but our hearts were large. I played for the Silver Bay Mariners, a team that was coached by fathers of two of the players.

Minnesota is known for having 10,000 lakes and plenty of wooded areas. My family has gone camping more times than I can count. The outdoors are definitely appealing to me for other things such as skiing, scuba diving, and biking.

• culture
• education
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• camping
• scuba diving
• skiing
• hockey
• biology
• chemistry
• teaching
• nursing
• volunteering
• lakes

Music, Movies, and Books

Ever since Junior year I had one book that I could not stop thinking about; Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury. The book is full of short chapters with thought provoking plots that will likely have the reader considering his or her own life experience.

I'm guilty of not being able to read books in the last four years, however I was able to partially read "Teaching a Stone to Talk" by Annie Dillard. Coincidentally, the book is of similar nature to Dandelion Wine, with a higher reading level.

I probably won't be able to catch onto quotes from tv shows or movies because I've lived under a rock as far as electronic entertainment goes. I do enjoy movies as social events and as breaks from studying or working. There are no genres that I worship, but I tend to appreciate movies that are either based on true events.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

My mother has been an incredible influence on my life so I decided I ought to do something meaningful for her after finishing college. The nursing program held a "pinning ceremony" in which we were given pins by a specific person. I delegated this to my mom, but had my own gifts for her, one hiding underneath my sweater, and a second to be created by my phone. She and I walked to the middle of the stage in front of the other nursing students and their parents. It was at this point when she hung the pin around my neck and that I had decided to have her face away from the crowd with me for a quick "selfie" together. We walked to the far side of the stage where we were given a rose. This is when I pulled out "Chicken Soup for the Breast Cancer Survivor's Soul".

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada

Countries I’ve Lived In

Russian Federation, United States